Spalletti: “The Derby is worth triple.”

“Florenzi’s recovery will be quite long. I just met with him now, I saw him in the dressing room. He’s kept a smile ever since he was re-injured. Emerson trained yesterday and didn’t feel anything so if everything goes well today, then he wil be available tomorrow.”

“Lazio? They’re built well and having success. Their only question seemed to be the manager but he’s proving that he doesn’t seem overwhelmed. We have a strong opponent ahead of us”

“Three matches in a week? This is the level of football and competition that we wanted. Physically, we will lose something and I’ll be forced to adjust but I am convinced the guys will be ready. They have no choice, we have to do it. This team is maturing.”

“It’ll be a match between two great attacks. The guys in our attack each have something different. Dzeko is physical and technical. Salah is quick and dangerous, Nainggolan can do everything. If you have 10 Nainggolan’s on the pitch you have a strong team.

“Nothing will change in our preparation. I think this match is very similar to the others because you have to constantly give your all especially when you represent a city like this and these people. When you are a professional, you have the obligation of professionalism and competence, you have to show conviction and strength, both me and the players. The Derby is worth triple, not double: the match, going to the Coppa Italia final, which will be played in Rome, plus it is special to our fans and we are sensitive to what is dear to our fans.”

The Editor of RomaPress.us, John has been covering Italian football as a freelance journalist for over 10 years and has appeared in various publications including ASRoma.com, EuroFantasyLeague.com, and ESPN.